Chabot Space & Science Center

In 1883, people in the East Bay got their first chance to see the sky in a whole new way. That’s when this facility, then called the Oakland Observatory, opened its doors, inviting the public to head up through the redwood forests cloaking the Oakland Hills to peer through a powerful telescope pointed at stars, planets, and distant galaxies. Today, Chabot Space & Science Center is the largest public telescope facility in the country, with three powerful telescopes, a digital planetarium, and a large screen theater. It’s not just about looking up here—there’s also hands-on science center (great for kids into science and exploring) with ways to learn about cutting-edge discoveries, including solar-powered cars and what it’s like to be on a mission to Mars.

It’s been called “San Francisco’s Brooklyn,” and San Francisco’s sister city, just across the water in the East Bay region, has the same kind of historic twists, beautiful views, and exploding food and wine scene as that New York borough. Diverse, dynamic, artsy, edgy—Oakland invites you to add a colorful twist to your Bay Area adventures. An influx of young locals, drawn not only by the vibe but by the city’s lower rents too, have moved into downtown lofts and condos, and so have come the single-pour coffee bars, cafes, galleries, and clubs, too. Lower costs in the East Bay have also lured chefs—both established big names and new-gen kitchen whiz kids—to open restaurants here, in settings ranging from splashy Art Deco (Flora) to sleek hipster chic (Plum).

Jack London Square

Jack London Square, an inviting complex perched on the edge of San Francisco Bay, mixes outdoor fun with indoor diversions. The square is named after the intrepid adventurer and author of Call of the Wild and The Sea Wolf, a book allegedly inspired by tall tales told by the crusty folk who frequented the legendary—and still open—Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon. Near the sloped entrance to the historic watering hole, the wall hands on the wall clock haven’t budged since April 18, 1906—the moment a massive quake struck the Bay Area, and jolted the building so much the timepiece stopped ticking. Time may have stopped, but not service, and stepping down into this little wooden shack is about as time-warpy as you can get: 19th-century gas lamps glow each evening, World War II photos photographs and memorabilia, and a small photo of a young London sitting at one of the saloon’s tables adorn the walls. Settle in and talk to your elbow-mate at the bar; you never know what tall tales you might hear.

But save your visit to this historic bar until later in the day. When the sun’s up and shining, paddle a kayak around the adjacent Oakland Estuary, especially lively during the fall bird migration. You’ll also get great views of the oddly creature-like dock cranes used to load cargo ships. Urban legend says the cranes inspired local filmmaker George Lucas to create the ominous AT-AT Walkers in Star Wars; true or not, the cranes do resemble the movie’s creepy four-legged tanks.

Post paddle, stroll the square to visit shops, or tour two historic vessels: the Lightship Relief, a floating lighthouse which aided navigation along various U.S. coastlines from 1951 to 1974, and the USS Potomac, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s historic yacht (ask about bay cruises). Dine at inviting options like Baia for organic pasta, or have crab cake benedict for brunch at Oakland Grill. Farmers’ markets and outdoor movies add to Jack London Square’s neighborhood-y appeal.

Food, Wine, & Nightlife

The warehouse-filled back streets of the East Bay are attracting urban wine warriors who like blending and bottling in the middle of city buzz. More than 20 wineries dot Oakland and the nearby cities of Berkeley, Emeryville, and Alameda; visit them on your own, or consider taking an entertaining guided tour by bike with East Bay Winery Bike Tours.

Oakland and surrounding cities are also enjoying a culinary renaissance as celebrated chefs open new establishments in up-and-coming neighbourhoods such as Uptown, Jack London Square, Grand Avenue, and Glenview. Try sophisticated tapas at always-packed Bocanova, contemporary Japanese at Ozumo, or charcuterie and craft cocktails at Adesso. Chicken and waffle fans flock to West Oakland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen, where chef Tanya Holland puts her creative twist on classic soul food dishes.

Oakland is becoming a hotbed of artisanal food makers too, with getting-to-be-household names like Numi Teas, Blue Bottle Coffee and Linden Street Brewers making the region home base for operations. Learn more about this new wave on a guided walking tour with Savor Oakland, focusing on food, culture, and history. Wind down the evening and recline in Kasbah-like splendour at Layover.

Oakland Museum of California

With vibrant galleries, hands-on activities, education programs, and community events that celebrate and illuminate California—past, present, and even future—this museum is an exciting cultural hub near Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Established in 1969 as a “museum for the people,” OMCA brings together collections of art, history, and natural science, all wrapped with beautiful terraced gardens.

Time your visit for a Friday and your experience gets even better. Friday Nights @ OMCA are family-friendly outdoor parties, with live music, spontaneous dancing, gourmet food trucks, and local craft beer and wine at the Blue Oak beer garden. Get creative at drop-in art workshops and learn from locals in the Makers & Tasters Series.

Old Town Oakland

With elaborate peaks, turrets, and moldings of classic Victorian-era buildings, this is one of Oakland’s prettiest districts. Historically, it’s where locals used to put on their finery and strut; today, it’s an eclectic mix of businesses, indie shops, and restaurants, and its roughly six block area of richly restored buildings makes a delightful place to stroll and explore. See handcrafted furniture at SOBU. Browse for good reads at Bookmark, an independent non-profit used bookstore. Mix with locals at weekly board game nights at EndGame (bring your own or use theirs). Swan’s Market, a longtime neighborhood hub, is morphing into a food hall, with Mexican dishes at Cosecha, wine tasting at Periscope Cellars, and sausages and beer at Rosamunde’s. On Friday mornings, check out the scene (as well as fresh produce and artisanal foods) at the bustling farmers’ market on Ninth Street between Broadway and Clay. At night, old-fashioned streetlights cast a warm glow, with restaurants like Desco and The Trappist tempting you to come in, relax, and enjoy a good meal.

Artists & galleries

The artistic spirit thrives in Oakland. One of the best—and most unique—ways to experience the city’s artsy side is to take part in the monthly Oakland Art Murmur event called First Friday. On the first Friday of each month, member galleries on Telegraph Avenue between Grand Avenue and 27th Street put on one heck of a street party. Pop-up and permanent galleries in industrial workshops let you browse and buy extraordinary art—and chat with the artists. Food trucks selling almost any kind of fare, super-excited little ones dancing to DJ music, beer gardens, street performers—First Fridays are a kaleidoscope of colors, cultures, and lifestyles.

For a calmer way to tap into the art scene, join a weekly Saturday Stroll, with galleries and mixed-use venues welcoming visitors from 1 pm to 5 pm. Many galleries also host free cultural programs such as receptions, artist talks, lectures, musical performances, and literary readings. Oakland Art Murmur also offers monthly, guided walking tours (third Saturday of each month), when a gallery director or other prominent member of the Oakland art community takes visitors to 3-5 galleries for presentations from curators or artists. If you really want to get hands on, visit The Crucible. Classes and workshops teach ceramics, stone cutting, jewelry making, and a host of other art forms.

Events in Oakland

Need something to do? Oakland’s event calendar is packed with a wide array of ways to learn and experience the character of this dynamic city, first hand. In summer, take part in Art + Soul Oakland, with live music and dance parties, barbecue face-offs, poetry slams, and an eclectic, multicultural artisan marketplace.

September’s Eat Real Fest feels like a state fair in the streets—an urban celebration that aims to help people understand where their food comes from, and who grew, raised, or made it. It’s all about delicious, regionally sourced, sustainably grown foods, and you’ll find plenty of ways to eat and learn about the ultra-fresh food showcased here.

Oakland also offers cultural events throughout the year, including performances by the Oakland Ballet and Oakland East Bay Symphony, at the Paramount Theatre, an Art Deco masterpiece in downtown Oakland (guided tours, the first and third Saturdays of the month, are well worth it).

Temescal Neighborhood

Temescal is Oakland’s hipster hangout, and if it’s trendy, tasty, or on topic, it’s here. This leafy corridor of gentrified buildings lining Telegraph Avenue is an appealing hub, especially on sunny weekends when with lots stroller-rolling families and 20-something weekend brunchers are everywhere. If you want to graze like a local, get in line at Bakesale Betty to try a Fried Chicken Sandwich, or have a gooey-perfect Grilled Cheese Trinity sandwich at Sacred Wheel Cheese Shop. For a sophisticated sip, visit Hog’s Apothecary, where a certified cicerone (beer sommelier) will help you pick from 25 hand-selected, brewery-direct beers on tap daily. If you have little ones in tow, let them scramble and play at Frog Park, a former vacant lot transformed by 1,300 volunteers into an ultimate playground, with climbing structures, safe swings, and splashable Temescal Creek.

For a delicious exploration, sign up for an Edible Excursions guided walking tour, which includes tastes of local finds such as gourmet doughnuts, Ethiopian spreads, fresh-roasted coffee, Indian street food, Baja-style fish tacos, and Korean tofu stew. Also fun: $1 wine tastings on Saturday afternoons at The Wine Mine.

Lake Merritt

When it comes to cities, adding water can be a good thing—a visual break from the urban glass, steel, and stone. So it goes with this sparkling jewel. Fed by the adjacent Oakland Estuary, saltwater Lake Merritt is a popular spot, and the 3.5-mile/5.6-km path that circles the lake is always filled with locals jogging before work, stretching their legs at lunchtime, or watching the lakes “necklace of lights”—more than 4,000 lightbulbs on 126 lampposts—blink on at the end of the day.

Lake Merritt also holds the distinction of being designated, in 1870, as America’s very first National Wildlife Refuge, and it still provides important habitat, particularly for migratory birds in fall. Rent a canoe, kayak, or pedal boat at the Lake Merritt Boating Center, in the historic Lake Merritt Sail Boat House, and keep your own bird count—or check out what you think you saw at the lake’s Rotary Nature Center. Other diversions include the 1876 Camron-Stanford House, a stunning example of the regal Victorian homes that once lined the lake, and the bonsai collection at Lakeside Park Garden Center. After all that fresh air, head indoors for a first-run movie at the lavish 1926 Grand Lake Theater (Friday and Saturday shows in the main auditorium include a concert on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ).

Trip
3-5 days
10 stops

San Francisco Bay Loop

Start your trip with a visit to one of the most iconic spans in the world. With towers soaring 746 feet/227 meters into the sky, its span arcing across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, and all of it painted fire-engine red, the Golden Gate...

End your road trip by exploring one of the world’s great cities. Famous for grand-dame Victorians, classic cable cars, dynamic diversity, a beautiful waterfront, and a soaring crimson bridge, the “City by the Bay” truly has it all. Trend-defining cuisine ranging from Michelin-starred dining to...

Regions

Pick a region form the map or the list below to explore.

Regions

Scroll down to explore the twelve regions of California.

1. Shasta Cascade

This region, in California’s northeast corner, is known for mountains, forests, waterfalls, and amazing, safe-to-visit volcanoes. The region, a 3-hour drive north of Sacramento, gets its name from the rugged Cascade Mountains and their signature peak in state, 14,180-foot/4,322-meter Mount Shasta—yes, a volcano.

Highlights

2. North Coast

With crashing waves along the coast and soaring redwood trees blanketing miles of uncrowded parkland, this is one of California’s most spectacular regions. The largest city, Eureka, is roughly a 5-hour drive north of San Francisco—but what a drive: see lush wine country, charming hamlets, spouting whales, and breathtaking sunsets.

Highlights

3. Gold Country

The western foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range, defining California’s eastern border, are known as the Gold Country, named after the rich Mother Lode discovered here in the mid-1850s. While gold is still found in the region, new riches include top museums and art in Sacramento, the state capital, plus whitewater rafting, tucked-away towns, farm-fresh dining, and award-winning wines.

Highlights

4. San Francisco Bay Area

On the western oceanfront of Northern California, at the state’s distinctive bend along the coast, lies this breathtaking region. It’s framed by an unforgettable gateway—the iconic Golden Gate Bridge—spanning the mouth of San Francisco Bay. Explore diverse cities, picturesque hamlets, family-friendly beaches, coastal parklands, and wine country, including Napa and Sonoma wine country, 1½ hours north of San Francisco.

5. High Sierra

Nicknamed “California’s backbone,” this region of towering granite peaks defines much of the state’s eastern boundary. Visit Yosemite Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes, and the giant trees of Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks—all within a day’s drive of either San Francisco or L.A. In winter, enjoy snow sports; in summer, go hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or boating.

Highlights

6. Central Valley

Running right down the middle of California, this broad region contains some of most productive farmland in the world. Wine country around Lodi features big, bold reds. Further south, Fresno has a lively arts scene.

8. Deserts

This dramatic region takes up the southeastern half of the state. Remarkable desert parklands, including Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Anza-Borrego, provide an extraordinary chance to explore, while the oasis-like allure of Palm Springs, 3 hours northeast of San Diego, offers sunny resort-style getaways, with golf, tennis, spas, and high-end shopping.

Highlights

9. Inland Empire

This densely populated Southern California region has surprising alpine getaways, like Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead, in the impressive San Bernardino Range. On the region’s sunny east side, explore the inviting Temecula Valley wine region. The university town of Riverside is the region’s largest city. San Bernardino, the second largest city, has museums and impressive shopping, while Fontana has NASCAR racing.

Highlights

10. Los Angeles County

This sunny region along the state’s southern coast is California’s most populated region, best known as the capital of the entertainment industry. Here, movie stars really do work in Hollywood, play in the surf at Malibu, and shop in Beverly Hills. Looping freeways make the car king, but the region also has a surprisingly good network of buses and light rail—a hassle-free way to explore.

11. Orange County

Tucked between San Diego and Los Angeles Counties, this region is known for flawless beaches and “the happiest place on earth,” Disneyland Resort. Anaheim, the theme park’s home, offers a surprisingly hip vibe in a refurbished downtown. Newport Beach has dazzling yachts, Huntington Beach has iconic surfing, and Costa Mesa beckons with top shopping.

Highlights

12. San Diego County

This sun-and-surf region is known for some of the best weather and warmest water in the state. San Diego, the state’s second largest city, is home to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, one of the world’s great urban parks. For family fun, play at SeaWorld San Diego and LEGOLAND California. Inland, discover surprising mountain towns like Julian, known for orchards and apple pie.